U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the reinstatement of the 2020 naturalization civics test, replacing the 2008 version restored by the Biden administration in 2021. The 2025 test expands the question pool from 100 to 128, requiring applicants to correctly answer 12 out of 20 questions during an oral exam, with testing stopping once 12 correct or 9 incorrect answers are given.
Questions cover critical aspects of U.S. history and government, such as the purpose of the U.S. Constitution, wars fought in the 1800s, Thomas Jefferson’s contributions, reasons for U.S. entry into World War I, and examples of American innovations. This scope ensures a deeper understanding of the nation’s foundational principles.
Strengthened Vetting and Moral Character Standards
The updated policy introduces stricter vetting processes, including resumed neighborhood investigations to verify applicants’ eligibility and alignment with American values. USCIS now emphasizes “good moral character,” assessing positive contributions to society, such as community involvement or stable employment, rather than solely the absence of criminal behavior.
Disqualifications for actions like unlawful voting or false citizenship claims add accountability, ensuring applicants respect U.S. laws.
Applicants failing the test twice face denial of their citizenship application, reinforcing the seriousness of the process.
Continued Language and Accessibility Provisions
The test remains an oral exam, with accommodations for certain applicants, such as those aged 50 or older with 20 years of lawful permanent residency, who may take it in their native language. USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser emphasized, “American citizenship is the most sacred citizenship in the world and should only be reserved for aliens who will fully embrace our values and principles as a nation.”
Despite the increased rigor, over 94% of applicants passed the test in fiscal year 2024, indicating that the changes maintain accessibility for qualified candidates while raising standards.
Benefits of the Revised Citizenship Test
The reinstatement of the 2020 citizenship test, with its expanded question pool and enhanced vetting, is a positive change for several reasons.
First, the 128-question pool, covering complex topics like the Federalist Papers and the 10th Amendment, ensures applicants have a robust understanding of U.S. history and governance, fostering a citizenry that actively appreciates and upholds democratic principles.
This counters the risk of granting citizenship to those who might exploit the process without genuine commitment, as seen in cases of fraudulent applications uncovered by past USCIS investigations.
Second, the focus on “good moral character” and neighborhood investigations prioritizes individuals who contribute positively to society, reducing the likelihood of admitting those who disregard laws, such as the 1,200 cases of unlawful voting reported by the Department of Justice in 2024.
Finally, by deterring unqualified applicants through stricter standards, the policy is likely to reduce the volume of naturalizations, ensuring only those who respect and understand the nation’s values become citizens, thereby strengthening national unity and civic integrity.
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